Work on Cardigan's new health facility won't start until autumn next year.

The latest update from Hywel Dda University Health Board says the new integrated care resource centre at Bath-house will be ready in 2017 -and Cardigan Hospital will continue to be open up until that date.

But there will be no inpatient beds, project director Gill Davies has confirmed.

The report states: "Inpatient beds will not be included within this development."

And it adds:

"Currently community services are being developed in this area and following the closure

of the inpatient ward in Cardigan Hospital it is expected that a review of the service will

be undertaken which will also help inform the new model.

Beds will be provided in a more appropriate way to suit the changing needs of the

population. The future commmissioning of beds will be informed by the review of the

community service."

A judicial review earlier this month supported the health board's decision to close the inpatient ward at Cardigan Hospital last December.

Long-time hospital campaigner Cllr Lyndon Lloyd said he was disappointed at the decision.

"I know how many people have benefitted from having short time rehabilitation in these beds," he said.

And he called for an appeal to be made to the health minister over the provision beds in the new centre.

Hywel Dda says it will be improving communication with the local community.

"The University Health Board acknowledges that people are passionate about healthcare within

their community and remains committed to providing more information, listening and talking

more.

Further public information events have taken place recently in Cardigan and Newcastle Emlyn,

with more planned over the coming months."

The update also addressed local fears over the suitability of the site.

"The architects, developers and healthcare planners have been appointed and ground

investigation work has taken place on the site. The challenges on site will be addressed

as part of the planning and design process," it said.